The Emerging Artists exhibit at the Riverfront Arts Center features artwork in a variety of mediums including drawings, paintings and ceramics. The exhibit runs through March 25.

The arts are more than activities and events in Portage County, they are woven into the lifestyles and communities through the area. Throughout the year, you can attend live theater and dance performances, take in the local music scene, explore galleries and see local artists in action.

If live performances are interesting to you, then there is no shortage of venues to get your fill in the Stevens Point area. The region offers live performances throughout the year through the Central Wisconsin Area Community Theater (cwACT), Central Wisconsin Children's Theater, Point Dance Ensemble, Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, Tomorrow River Concert Series, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Department of Theater & Dance, and UWSP Performing Arts Series, just to name a few. Performance spaces, like Theater @1800, Lettie W. Jensen Community Center Theater, and the theaters at UWSP, offer a variety of local productions to national acts.

Did you know?

? cwACT has presented more than 100 shows in the last 35 years. Though it started as a group in 1974, the organization officially incorporated in 1980.

? During the last eight years, the UWSP Department of Theater & Dance has offered more than 55 different productions? If you crave an insider's view, check out the UWSP First Nighters Program, in its 41st year. The program allows you direct access to opening night performances, including behind-the-scene pictures, a discussion with the director and dinner in the Noel Fine Arts Center Courtyard before the show.

? The American Suzuki Institute, a two-week music program at UWSP every summer, is the oldest Suzuki Institute outside Japan and attracts more than 1,200 visitors from across the world.

? April 4 to 6 and April 9 to 12: UWSP Department of Theatre & Dance presents "Next to Normal."

? April 4 to 6: Tomorrow River Community Musical.

? April 12 to 13: CWSO: Concert IV - Choral Jubilee.

? April 17: UWSP Performing Arts Series presents Keigwin and Co.

? April 25: UWSP Soiree Musicale.

? April 26: Tomorrow River Concerts presents John Flynn.

Looking for visual art in the area? There is no shortage of galleries to view artwork. To get a distinctly local look at artists, visit the Q Gallery Artist Cooperative, Carlsten Art Gallery, Riverfront Arts Center, Scarabocchio Art Museum and the Tomorrow River Gallery.

Local artist are the focal point at many of the area's visual art galleries. The Tomorrow River Gallery in Amherst (open May through December) provides a variety of artist work from the region, and even intermingles performing arts on a regular basis. The gallery, as well as Q Gallery Artist Cooperative in downtown Stevens Point, provides regular venues to view the Hidden Studio Art Tour artists that call this region home.

Explore and purchase art from the blossoming artist community by visiting the Riverfront Art Center. The facility, tucked along the Wisconsin River at 1200 Crosby Ave. in Stevens Point, features changing exhibits that highlight area and regional artists. Admission is free. Just across the street, visit the Scarabocchio Art Museum. Scarabocchio, which means "doodle" in Italian, is the basis for the patented technique of artwork by Dr. David Smith, who founded the museum.

On the UWSP campus, explore the works within the Carlsten Art Gallery in the Noel Fine Arts Center. But that isn't the only place you can explore artwork on campus. One of the largest art pieces in the region can be found just outside the door of the Noel Fine Art Center. The ceramic tile mosaic mural can be found on the exterior wall of the Trainer Natural Resources Building (facing the Sundial and Portage Street). Measuring a massive 150 feet wide by 50 feet high, "E Pluribus Unum" is made up of more than 100,000 individual pieces. It is an icon for the campus.

If you are looking for more outdoor art, make a stop at the Stevens Point Sculpture Park. The 20-acre park provides stunning winter views of artwork intertwined amidst nature along a scenic half-mile trail with a distinct backdrop of regional and national artwork. The trail also conveniently connects to the Green Circle Trail. The park joins the love for outdoor recreation and the arts in our region, and it is one of the largest collections of public art in one location. Several new pieces are scheduled for installation this spring.

Did you know?

? @1800 in the Sentry Insurance complex is home to original pieces from Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Salvador Dali and others throughout the lounge and dining room.

? Craving something sweet? Try the homemade pie at Cozy Kitchen, which is definitely worth the stop. After the pie, check out the mural on the outside of the building that was painted by local artist Greg Luedtke.